Friday, July 24, 2015

Raleigh News and Observer staffer Mechelle Hankerson has reported that the Grand Arbor Reserve apartment complex has changed its position. The Lacy Elementary School teacher volunteers will be allowed to return to the apartments with their weekly bookmobile for children.

Grand Arbor Reserve officials had told the volunteers that they could not come back because of a new policy issued by the complex owner, Landmark Apartments Trust: only events sponsored by Landmark would henceforth be allowed on the premises.

According to Ms. Hankerson, “Many people criticized the decision on social media, and Landmark announced Saturday that it would allow the bookmobile.”

In the meantime, Landmark will “collect documentation that shows volunteers have been screened.” Since every volunteer for the bookmobile program has already gone through the Wake County school system’s volunteer application process, which includes a background check, this was a no-brainer.

Now that the program’s return has been assured, perhaps the next step is the ask Landmark to donate some money for more books for the children who live in the complex. If they are really interested in creating a “sense of community,” it would be a very nice gesture.

If you are one of the people who contacted Grand Arbor and Landmark and asked them to bring back the bookmobile, THANK YOU! And thanks to Mechelle Hankerson of The News and Observer for her excellent reporting.